Battling multiple rain delays and tough competition, veteran Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series competitor Scott Libersher, of Wilmington, Ill., won for the first time at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. The weekend also marked the first time the Factory Stock Showdown series was contested at Brainerd International Raceway, and the fans were treated to head-to-head racing between COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets Mustangs, and Dodge Drag Paks over three days.
“I’ve put in a lot of time and money into this program,” said Libersher from the top end. “We drive all over the country, and it’s a lot of hard work – but it pays off. This is a very competitive class. I like everybody I race with, and it’s a great experience. Today was a great day of racing, and I have to thank everyone on my team and everyone at Barton Racing Engines.”
Libersher started his day with a win over Chicago Route 66 Nationals runner-up Lee Hartman. Hartman was first off the starting line, but Libersher’s Camaro moved around him at half-track for the win, 7.921 to 7.956.
The quarterfinals and semifinals saw Libersher taking on Las Vegas Nationals winner Ricky Hord and Tony Scott Jr., respectively. During both of the tough rounds, the Brainerd International Raceway stands were packed with faithful fans cheering for their favorite cars and drivers.
“I raced here years ago in Stock, but the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series has never been here,” said Libersher. “I love to travel the country, and this is a beautiful area up here with a strong Stock and Super Stock following – and there is a passion for Factory Stock, too.”
In the final round, it was Libersher taking a wire-to-wire win over Bristol victor David Janac. Libersher’s COPO Camaro was first to leave the line with a strong .036-second reaction time, and he kept the lead the full quarter mile. When the win light came on, Libersher was overcome with emotion following another strong 7.816, 172.04.
“It’s every emotion in your body going through your head and heart, and you’re watching the shift light at the same time,” said Libersher. “I was telling myself, ‘Make sure you get to 1,320 feet covered without doing anything silly.’
“Old guys rule, too. Me and Janac are probably some of the oldest guys out here, and I was the most relaxed I’ve been in a while during that final, which was wild. We had a lot of battles with the car this weekend. We adjusted some converters and made some rear gear changes. We kind of went in blind in the last round. And I was like, ‘Let’s see what the racing gods have to say for us.’ ”
Prior to his final round match-up with Libersher, Janac – who won for the first time in his Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown career at the Bristol Thunder Valley Nationals – claimed the Flexjet $1,000 bounty by knocking out fellow Stanfield Racing Engines-powered teammate Stephen Bell in the first round. Janac launched first with a .043 light and held off the quicker Bell with his Janac Brothers Ford Mustang and got to the finish line first, 7.922, 174.96 mph to 7.910, 170.43. Bell’s .084 reaction was the decider. This was the second time this season Janac collected the $1,000 bounty with a win over Bell. During the final round of the Thunder Valley Nationals, Janac trailered Bell to take the cash and the national event win.
The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will reconvene at the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
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